Prioritise my update path

Hello I need help with my upgrade path:

Equipment Wanted
Canon 1D MKIII
Canon 16-35 2.8
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS
Canon 35 1.4
Canon 85 1.2
Canon Speedlite

Equipment I Have
Canon 1D MKII
Canon 30D gripped
Canon 24-70 2.8
Canon 70-200 4
Canon 430EX

Budget
Probably about £2,000 and most of my kit I'll buy second hand and or get via Kerso. I'll also sell my 70-200 f4 and 30D if I replace it with a 2.8 IS or the 1D MKII

What I shoot now
I mainly shoot anything and everything, although at the moment I'm doing a lot of gig photography. So low level light with high ISO, usual suspects.

What I see myself shooting in the future
For the foresee able future I'll be shooting more gigs. However to unwind I'd shoot anything from landscapes to sports.

Reason for this post
I'm not sure what to buy first. I'd like to own all that gear in the next couple of years but just can't prioritise what I want or need.

Cameras
1D MKII - I'm finding that to be more than capable for what I need bare maybe the ISO performance as some of the clubs I shoot in are almost completely dark. It would accompany a MKIII if I bought one.

30D - Same kinda performance as the MKII but it does feel toy like in comparison to the MKII. I would get rid of this for a MKIII

1D MKIII - Newer technology than cameras I own. The better ISO performance would be handy. Not too worried about the AF issues with the camera, as I'd buy a high serial number.

Lenses
24-70 - Not going to replace.

70-200 f4 - This is a great lens and is sharp for my needs however I am increasing finding that I need the 2.8, particular for the gig stuff.

70-200 2.8 IS - To replace the f4 I have. But S/h MK I or MKII?

16-35 2.8 - I only find on odd occasions that I need to go wider than 24mm however because I haven't sampled this kind of focal length I might be missing out on a new creative way to shoot. MK I and get it a cheaper price or MKII got the more improved performance?

Canon 35 1.4 / Canon 85 1.2 - I would love these too for really low level light work at the gigs, however I know the 35 is a little soft and has had issues with MKIII. And the 85 is slower to focus than other lenses. I feel I'd probably use the 35mm more.

Other
Canon Speedlite - I only have one flash gun and on occasions would like to shoot with multi able strobes. I would use the flash for only a bit of flash fill in gigs or outside shooting in the bright sun. Would I be best getting a 580EXII or 430EXII?

Summary
So what piece of kit do I get first? I could afford to get two £1,000 ish lens at the same time or either one at £2,000 or a body.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your answers. Any questions give me a shout.

Blackvault

I would stick with a MKI 70-200 2.8 IS as it will save you about a thousand dollars over a MKII. Then I would opt for the 85mm 1.8 ef-s and that will save you about another thousand bucks over an 85 1.2L and will likely focus quicker in low light. I would also take a look at the 135L 2.0 which has great focus speed and is an amazing lens for the price. Then sell the 30D and upgrade to your 1DIII. So

1DII (backup)
1DIII
24-70L2.8
85 1.8 ef-s
135L2.0
70-200 2.8L IS

Thanks for replying Bradfordguy.

Those lenses I've mentioned I will probably get but its just trying to see what I need first. Your maybe right about the 85 1.8 though. As for the 135 2.0, I'm not that fussed about the focal length and would get the 35 1.4 over it.

What order do you or anyone think I should buy this in?

Thanks

Blackvault

1) Sell 70-200 f/4 and buy the 70-200 2.8 IS I. Figure that'll use $800.

2) Buy the 35 1.4, that's the rest of your two grand.

I went that way because you maximize your 2,000 the best. I'd probably buy a new camera third and then either the 16-35 next or the 85 1.2. You'd need to assess your shooting style and needs with the upgraded equipment. I'm guessing if I had a 16-35 and 85 1.2 I would not use the 35 1.4 very much. I also don't think I'd find myself using a 85 or 35 with a 24-70 that much (as much as I love my 24-70). FWIW, I just shot something really dark using the 85 1.8 and 24-70 and it might have been my best shoot yet, so maybe I'm wrong.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Blackvault

Bradfordguy wrote in post #10232152
I would stick with a MKI 70-200 2.8 IS as it will save you about a thousand dollars over a MKII. Then I would opt for the 85mm 1.8 ef-s and that will save you about another thousand bucks over an 85 1.2L and will likely focus quicker in low light. I would also take a look at the 135L 2.0 which has great focus speed and is an amazing lens for the price. Then sell the 30D and upgrade to your 1DIII. So

1DII (backup)
1DIII
24-70L2.8
85 1.8 ef-s
135L2.0
70-200 2.8L IS

Canon 85mm f/1.8 is EF.